What happened to the playgrounds and options to have birthday parties at most McDonalds?

It's not fair that the first answer got a thumbs down. McDonald's, Burger King and in the past, Wimpy did get accused of promoting junk to kids so they have distanced themselves away from that, loosely. They are still promoting to kids though, in a less offensive way by offering unhealthy items accompanied by a carrot bag which will probably get discarded. The thing is fast food chains have asked psychologists to tell them how to keep selling. Make kids like it and they will keep coming as adults because they have fond memories. Psychologists also told them to use red and yellow in decoration because those colours subliminally make you hungry. Subway use green because they asked psychologists what colour makes people think healthy, even though there has been a lot of controversy about that and, also Subway still use a lot of yellow too. To answer your question I think the playgrounds were going a bit too far and they realised that.... Oh and also, if you go into a late night opening McDonald's you will hear classical music, psychologists told them that is a good way to stop unruly teens loitering and causing anti social behaviour, they are more likely to buy their food and leave quickly if that music is playing.

I think they figured out how unsanitary those ball pits and climbing toys were, and discontinued them.   

Sickness... and the new bisuness models... make more f***ing money

Having a birthday party on top of the 10 families that all use the playground at McDonalds probably got a little to chaotic. Having a birthday party at McDonalds also doesn’t mean that you are the only party allowed in McDonalds, especially on the playground. Because of these reasons, it’s easy to see why golden arch parties of declined if not diminish completely.

they got taken away and it’s so sad

most locations dont even do that no more, they just want your money and want you to get out their face. i am kinda glad that they dont do that anymore because McDonald is not what it used to be, because they got all them ghetto people working there with their stiff long weave and red hair, trying to be Rapunzel with they bald headed azz

some still do have parties for the playground they needed more area to seat

Yes, all the local ones that had them have remodeled and they are gone.  I think these days they just want people to get their food and get out.

Injuries, lawsuits and internet fake news (google heroin overdose from ball pit)

I think they don't want to be accused of catering to kids and trying to make them hooked on unhealthy food.